Consumer Protection

• Consumer Protection Awards celebrating consumer champions
• Awards recognise individuals and groups who work to advance consumer rights in Western Australia

A project helping keep people with disabilities in their homes and a financial counsellor working with vulnerable Aboriginal communities are among the winners of the 2024 Consumer Protection Awards.

The 20th anniversary ceremony, which celebrates contributions to consumer protection in Western Australia, was held at a presentation breakfast this morning on World Consumer Rights Day.

• Payment redirection scam losses already exceed 2023 figure
• Consumers advised to call business to confirm bank account details

Western Australians are being urged to be vigilant of payment redirection scams with losses this year already exceeding figures from 2023.

A WA man lost $153,950 as a result of the scam after scammers intercepted emails between him and his settlement agent in relation to the purchase of a property.

• Fairer retirement village laws introduced to Parliament
• Exit entitlements to be paid out within 12-months of leaving a village
• Clearer upfront information to protect residents from misunderstandings

The Cook Government is working to make retirement village laws fairer for residents whilst supporting the sector with the introduction of reforms to the Retirement Villages Act 1992 into Parliament today.  

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle.

• Ticket scalping alert for UFC fans desperate to attend weekend event 
• Warning for resellers about posting negotiable ‘$1234’ prices
• Only buy tickets through Ticketek or Ticketek Marketplace to avoid overpaying

Fans hoping to secure last-minute tickets to the popular Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 305 event at Perth’s RAC Arena this Sunday, 18 August 2024 are being warned against dealing with resellers on unauthorised platforms and marketplaces.

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle.

Fewer rent increases, pets and minor modifications allowed in most rentals and a new process to resolve disputes form four big changes to Western Australia’s tenancy laws.

You might remember back in May we banned rent bidding and gave more protection for tenants to exercise their rental rights by empowering them challenge retaliatory action by landlords in Court. Here’s what the next raft of changes, starting 29 July, means for renters and landlords.

While you might be smart enough to get your tax return in early, no one is too smart to be scammed.

Consumer Protection is warning Western Australians to be alert to tax scams, which are most prevalent around this time of year. And they’re easy to fall for because you’re already expecting some communication from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) or myGov about your tax.

On average, more than 30 Australians die each year, and over 6,000 are hospitalised with injuries, from ladder falls.

The injuries can be serious and life altering with people suffering fractured limbs, spinal cord damage and severe brain injuries. Sadly, the majority of people killed or injured were men aged over 45 years.

• Registration for all short-term rental accommodation opens today
• 12-months free registration for property owners who enrol early
• Registration to provide accurate data for local governments and better assurance for local residents and STRA users

Stronger regulation of Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) in Western Australia has begun, with the opening of a new register that will allow regulators and communities to keep track of the short stay sector for the first time.